Even though we'd gotten in very late, we were up early. We caught the sky train to the ferry and bought a day pass for the boat.
Surasak sky train station... and Bangkok traffic
We got off at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, also known as just Wat Po (or Wat Pho) after its original name of Wat Photaram. The name refers the monastery in India where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
A temple was possibly first built here in the late 1600s. Over the next several hundred years, it was drastically expanded and decorated, especially by King Rama III. We wandered aimlessly around the big complex, going into the various wats.
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This enormous reclining Buddha at 118 feet long is only the third largest in world! It was built by Rama III in 1832
Me .... Ron and Gerald
The soles of its feet (which are almost 10 feet high and almost 15 feet long) had mother of pearl inlay.
Four large chedis (each 137 feet tall) were dedicated to the first four kings of the Chakri dynasty, which began in 1782 and is the current ruling royal house of Thailand.
These smaller chedis contain the ashes of members of the royal family.
One of four Khmer-style towers (or phra prang) at each corner of the courtyard.
Phra Ubosot is the main hall for performing Buddhist rituals. The gold and crystal pedestal is topped with a gold-copper Buddha. Rama IV placed some of Rama I's ashes under the pedestal so that people can pay homage to both Rama I and the Buddha at the same time.
